THERAPIST IN TAMPA, FL

Empowering you to process wounds of the past and move toward a brighter future through emotional healing.

Serving the Tampa Bay area, Hillsborough County, & the entire state of Florida

Does this sound like you?

You've been through a lot in life.

Your past seems both far away and ever-present at the same time. You know that everything you’ve been through has made you stronger, but it's also taken a toll.

The ripple effects are intense: your self esteem suffers, you have relationship problems you can't seem to work through, and you might even struggle with anxiety or depression on top of it all.

You know you want to take care of your mental health, but you're not sure how to create positive change in your life.

If you're ready to take charge of your well being, I'm here to help.

As a Tampa therapist, I provide evidence based treatment to help people like you recover from the pain of their past. Together, we can process your experience and help you build a meaningful, fulfilling life

Meet Ciara Helm, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Tampa, FL

I'm so glad you have taken the first step toward healing by looking for a Tampa therapist. No matter your journey to get here, I want to assure you that it's okay to not be okay. You deserve time and space to deal with your pain.

While trauma can fundamentally change you as a human being, it doesn't have to be a life sentence. I'm passionate about helping people heal from old wounds: whether that's childhood trauma, significant loss, or any other painful experience that makes it difficult to be the person you want to be.

We can't change the past, but we can change how we move forward. I've seen firsthand that transformation is possible-both in my extensive experience working with trauma survivors and through my own healing journey.

Though my therapy practice is based in Tampa, FL, virtual therapy allows me to serve all of Hillsborough County and the entire state of Florida. If you're ready to see how therapy can help you, I encourage you to reach out today.

My approach to mental health counseling in Tampa, FL

I view therapy as a collaborative process, so I strive to build a strong relationship with each person who enters my virtual therapy room. Together, we'll create a customized treatment plan that suits your unique needs.

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and cognitive processing therapy (CPT) are two of the main approaches I use when helping my clients recover from trauma. Both are extremely effective ways of processing your experience and finding new, more helpful ways of coping.

I believe in being honest and authentic with each of my clients. My goal is to create a welcoming, nonjudgmental space where you can share your feelings and thoughts without worrying if you are a burden.

Services I Offer

Trauma therapy in Tampa

Trauma can leave you feeling stuck in the past. Working with a Tampa trauma therapist can help you move forward in an empowered, intentional way.

EMDR therapy in Tampa

EMDR is a special kind of trauma therapy that can help you rewrite your trauma story. Learn more about this treatment and how working with an EMDR therapist in Tampa can help.

Tampa grief counseling

Loss is a part of life, but that doesn't mean you have to go through it alone. Whether you're mourning the death of a loved one, grieving the parent-child relationship you wish you had, or are navigating a life transition, grief therapy in Tampa can help.

FAQs about working with a Tampa therapist

Starting therapy can feel overwhelming, especially if you've never worked with a therapist before. Here, I answer some of the common questions I get as a counselor in Tampa. Hopefully, this knowledge will help you feel more comfortable starting the process.

  • Yes! According to experts, online counseling is a highly effective treatment for mental health issues, including post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

    I love being a virtual counselor because it gives me the ability to meet you where you're at-literally. Though my practice is based out of Tampa, I help adults all over the state of Florida.

    Virtual mental health counseling is confidential. I offer sessions through a HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform to make sure that your information stays secure.

    Many of my clients enjoy telehealth for the convenience it offers. It saves time and money since you don't have to commute back and forth to a therapist office.

    Online sessions also allow you to access care from the comfort of your own home. Talking about your past trauma can be painful and vulnerable, but it can be made easier when you're able to do so in a place where you already feel safe.

  • Different therapists have different training and experience. Generally speaking, it's best to find a therapist who has been trained in methods that can help with whatever mental health concerns you're struggling with. For example, I'm trained in CPT and EMDR, both of which are designed to treat trauma.

    Therapists also have different types of education and licenses. A licensed mental health counselor typically has a master's degree in counseling.

    As a licensed clinical social worker, I have a master's degree in social work. This helps me understand the systems and larger forces that may impact my clients, in addition to the certain individual factors.

Start your journey toward healing with the help of a therapist in the Tampa Bay area

Your past experiences don't have to rule your life. Hopeful Heart Counseling can give a voice to your pain and help you feel seen, heard, and validated. Together, we can make sense of your experience and give you the confidence you need to create the life and relationships you want.

If you're interested in learning more about my approach to therapy or feel ready to get started, I encourage you to reach out. I offer free, 10-minute consultations so you can get a sense of whether I might be the right therapist for you.